Last Modified: Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 10:39 p.m.

The town council spent more than 30 minutes Monday night discussing the traffic concerns during a planning meeting.

In the end, council members decided to examine the feasibility and potential effectiveness of a conditional ban of compression-release engine brakes in large trucks, as well as ramping up police enforcement of the posted speed limit on Fanning Bridge.

Mayor Pro Tem Eddie Henderson, who lives within sight of what he described as a notoriously dangerous curve on the road, said trucks and other vehicles are often seen not only speeding but crossing the center line as they whip around the curve.

"If we don't do something, Murphy's Law is that something (bad) is going to happen," Henderson said. "It's not a matter of if, but when."

Town Manager Mark Biberdorf informed the council of results he received from a Department of Transportation traffic survey conducted on Fanning Bridge from Jan. 29-Feb. 2. During those five days, Biberdorf said, the 7,000-plus vehicles per day that traveled the roadway averaged 43 mph — or 8 mph over the posted speed limit.

Since many of those motorists drive within 5 mph over the speed limit, councilman Bob Davy said, "One out of every four vehicles is probably doing at least 10 miles per hour over the speed limit" to result in the 43-mph average.

"I know they can't write tickets for everybody," Davy added, "but if they can for everyone going 10 (mph) or over ... "

Biberdorf said town officials will spend this week discussing strategies with Fletcher Police Chief Erik Summey and his staff before next week's monthly council meeting.

Mayor Bill Moore said he was sensitive to the limitations of what police can enforce, especially on narrow Fanning Bridge Road, but he reiterated several times that he'd like to see an increase in radar detection and speed limit enforcement.

"That's what our police department's job is," he said. "If you write some tickets over there (on Fanning Bridge), somebody is going to get the word in awhile. If you're a truck driver and you're driving a semi, and you use Fanning Bridge Road on a regular basis, and you speed on Fanning Bridge Road on a regular basis, you're going to get a citation — plain and simple."

Meanwhile, truck noise is another issue. Biberdorf asked council members to consider whether they wanted his staff to revise town code to prohibit the use of noisy compression-release engine brakes, or "jake brakes," except when needed for emergencies, since they are rarely necessary at speeds under 40 mph. Several residents have complained about the loud noise they create, according to Biberdorf and Henderson.

In considering alternatives, Biberdorf said he has looked at other towns' ordinances regarding jake brakes and found that Waynesville banned their use on one particular street, while Mount Pleasant, S.C., prohibited them altogether.

Council members noted that Fanning Bridge is used as a cut-through to avoid scales on I-26, and that heavy truck traffic comes in waves. The DOT survey revealed that nearly 250 large trucks per day travel the stretch of roadway.

<p>FLETCHER — Fletcher leaders are considering measures to address speeding and excessive truck noise on Fanning Bridge Road that they say continue to elicit complaints from residents.</p><p>The town council spent more than 30 minutes Monday night discussing the traffic concerns during a planning meeting. </p><p>In the end, council members decided to examine the feasibility and potential effectiveness of a conditional ban of compression-release engine brakes in large trucks, as well as ramping up police enforcement of the posted speed limit on Fanning Bridge.</p><p>Mayor Pro Tem Eddie Henderson, who lives within sight of what he described as a notoriously dangerous curve on the road, said trucks and other vehicles are often seen not only speeding but crossing the center line as they whip around the curve.</p><p>"If we don't do something, Murphy's Law is that something (bad) is going to happen," Henderson said. "It's not a matter of if, but when."</p><p>Town Manager Mark Biberdorf informed the council of results he received from a Department of Transportation traffic survey conducted on Fanning Bridge from Jan. 29-Feb. 2. During those five days, Biberdorf said, the 7,000-plus vehicles per day that traveled the roadway averaged 43 mph — or 8 mph over the posted speed limit. </p><p>Since many of those motorists drive within 5 mph over the speed limit, councilman Bob Davy said, "One out of every four vehicles is probably doing at least 10 miles per hour over the speed limit" to result in the 43-mph average.</p><p>"I know they can't write tickets for everybody," Davy added, "but if they can for everyone going 10 (mph) or over ... "</p><p>Biberdorf said town officials will spend this week discussing strategies with Fletcher Police Chief Erik Summey and his staff before next week's monthly council meeting.</p><p>Mayor Bill Moore said he was sensitive to the limitations of what police can enforce, especially on narrow Fanning Bridge Road, but he reiterated several times that he'd like to see an increase in radar detection and speed limit enforcement.</p><p>"That's what our police department's job is," he said. "If you write some tickets over there (on Fanning Bridge), somebody is going to get the word in awhile. If you're a truck driver and you're driving a semi, and you use Fanning Bridge Road on a regular basis, and you speed on Fanning Bridge Road on a regular basis, you're going to get a citation — plain and simple."</p><p>Meanwhile, truck noise is another issue. Biberdorf asked council members to consider whether they wanted his staff to revise town code to prohibit the use of noisy compression-release engine brakes, or "jake brakes," except when needed for emergencies, since they are rarely necessary at speeds under 40 mph. Several residents have complained about the loud noise they create, according to Biberdorf and Henderson.</p><p>In considering alternatives, Biberdorf said he has looked at other towns' ordinances regarding jake brakes and found that Waynesville banned their use on one particular street, while Mount Pleasant, S.C., prohibited them altogether.</p><p>Council members noted that Fanning Bridge is used as a cut-through to avoid scales on I-26, and that heavy truck traffic comes in waves. The DOT survey revealed that nearly 250 large trucks per day travel the stretch of roadway.</p>